The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is on the verge of ending their commitment drought with a highly anticipated announcement. Four-star safety JaDon Blair is expected to reveal his decision on July 5, giving Notre Dame fans a reason to celebrate Independence Day a bit longer.
Notre Dame has been considered the frontrunner for Blair, despite recent competition from the Michigan Wolverines. However, any momentum Michigan had seems to have faded, with even a former Notre Dame recruiting analyst now predicting Blair will choose the Fighting Irish.
JaDon Blair got these Michigan fans UPSET 😂☘️ pic.twitter.com/3mxgzKg6VD
— yak ☘️ (@92killaa) June 30, 2024
EJ Holland, who previously worked as a Notre Dame recruiting analyst before moving to Michigan, has recently predicted Blair’s commitment to Notre Dame. This follows other expert predictions favoring the Irish for Blair, one of the top safeties in the 2025 class.
A commitment from Blair would be a significant boost for Notre Dame, which has not secured a commitment since Mark Zackery’s on May 25 and has slipped to 6th in the latest On3 ratings, with similar rankings on Rivals and 247Sports. The potential commitment would also signify Notre Dame overcoming competition from Penn State and Michigan.
Notre Dame vs. USC 1995: Irish Derail Trojans’ Championship Hopes
The concept of a rivalry implies a level playing field, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish had established dominance over the Southern Cal Trojans by October 22, 1995. Heading into this matchup, Notre Dame had won the previous 12 encounters, and this game was set on their home turf.
Notre Dame secured a 38-10 victory, extending their winning streak to 13 games. This win came just a week after a narrow escape against the Army Black Knights, adding to the frustration of the fifth-ranked and undefeated Trojans, who saw their championship aspirations take a hit.
The Coaches: Holtz vs. Robinson
Lou Holtz, recovering from spinal surgery, coached from the press box. Despite being away from the sidelines, his team had seen great success, winning all three games during his absence. In contrast, Notre Dame had only won once when Holtz was on the field.
JaDon Blair got these Michigan fans UPSET 😂☘️ pic.twitter.com/3mxgzKg6VD
— yak ☘️ (@92killaa) June 30, 2024
John Robinson, in his third season of his second stint as USC’s head coach, was guiding the Trojans through a competitive period, with hopes for a national championship despite a slight dip from his earlier tenure.
The Key Players: Notre Dame’s Backfield vs. USC’s Weapons
Notre Dame’s Ron Powlus, despite a tense performance against Army, had Derrick Mayes as a key receiver and a strong backfield with running backs averaging over five yards per carry. The Irish aimed to bolster their defense against the Trojans’ run game.
USC’s quarterback rotation of Brad Otton and Kyle Wachholtz depended on Deion Washington for running, and Keyshawn Johnson for receiving. The Trojans’ defense got a boost from Israel Ifeanyi’s reinstatement.
**The Game: Notre Dame’s Dominance**
The game was played under challenging weather conditions, which might have contributed to USC’s four turnovers. A pre-game rumor about O.J. Simpson attending was quickly debunked.
Notre Dame struck first with a touchdown from Marc Edwards. USC briefly led 7-6 after a Notre Dame fumble allowed a touchdown pass to Johnson. However, Notre Dame regained control with touchdowns from Edwards and Autry Denson, making it 21-7 by halftime.
JaDon Blair got these Michigan fans UPSET 😂☘️ pic.twitter.com/3mxgzKg6VD
— yak ☘️ (@92killaa) June 30, 2024
In the second half, Notre Dame’s defense shone, including a safety by Kory Minor and another touchdown by Edwards, leading to a 38-10 victory. Holtz joined the team on the sidelines post-game, having recovered enough to leave the press box.
The Aftermath
The win moved Notre Dame up to 12th in the rankings, while USC fell to 13th. The Trojans later tied Washington and lost to UCLA, though they won the Rose Bowl against Northwestern. Notre Dame ended the season with a six-game winning streak but lost to Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
The Trojans eventually overcame Notre Dame’s dominance, but the rivalry remained intense. Most recently, Notre Dame delivered a decisive defeat to a highly-ranked USC team, with Keyshawn Johnson’s pre-game comments adding to the irony of the outcome.
